Newsletter – December 2021
It’s been a busy few months here at Marshlands Family Health Centre so we wanted to update you with what has been happening.
COVID 19- Traffic light system
With the move to the traffic light system from Friday 3rd December Canterbury will move the Orange traffic light setting. Across all settings we will remain open and here to provide you with your medical care.
As we have been doing since the start of this pandemic, we will continue to ask any patient who has any cold or flu symptoms to remain in their car as they wait for their appointment. Please do not phone us to let us know you have arrived unless it is more than 10 minutes passed your appointment time and you have not had contact from your Doctor or Nurse.
We will be asking for your registration number when you book your appointment so the Doctor or Nurse can come and bring you in when they are ready to see you.
MASKS – In order to keep both our team and other patients safe we are asking anyone over the age of 12 to wear a mask when entering the building. If you have a mask exemption, we suggest for your safety that you please wait in your car for your appointment. Please mention your exemption when booking for your appointment as we will ask for your car registration number.
FULLY VACCINATED PATIENTS – you may choose to either wait in the waiting room or your car.
UVACCINATED OR PARTIALLY VACCINATED PATIENTS – for your safety we suggest that you please wait for your appointment in your car. We will be asking for your registration number when you book your appointment so the Doctor or Nurse can come and bring you in when they are ready to see you. Please do not phone us to let us know you arrived unless it is more than 10 minutes passed your appointment time and you have not had any contact from your Doctor or Nurse.
COVID Vaccines
We are not currently able to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The easiest way to see where you can get your vaccination is by visiting https://bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ You can also see who offers walk in vaccines on the above website. If you don’t have access to the internet or would prefer to make your booking over the phone you can call 0800 28 29 26.
Vaccination Certificates/Passes
You can request your Vaccination Certificate or Vaccine Pass here https://mycovidrecord.health.nz/
If you don’t have access to the internet or would prefer to request your certificate/pass over the phone you can call 0800 222 478
You can also go to some Pharmacies and they will be able to help you get your vaccine pass. Unichem Prestons (beside New World) is the closest pharmacy to us that can do this for you free of charge.
Staff changes
Sadly, we have had to say goodbye to some of our valued team recently.
Dr Kimlin has moved back to Australia to be closer to her family. We thank Dr Kimlin for her hard work and contribution to the team.
Dr Emily Burgess is on extended leave at present. We will update you in due course once more information comes to hand.
We are very happy to have Dr Maria Barros Sevillano working with us whilst we look for a long-term replacement (unless we can convince her to stay 😊). Dr Wayne McKenie, Dr Sorcha Nic Giolla, Dr Judith Rikmanspoel and Dr William Bickerton are also available if you wish to book an appointment with them.
After many years of wonderful service our Receptionist Karen has also finished up recently. I am sure, like us you will miss having them as part of our healthcare team.
We are very pleased to be welcoming Anzelle to the team, who will be starting as our Receptionist on Monday 6th December 2021.
Christmas Hours
After another busy year in General Practice we have decided to close for the three days between Christmas and New Year to give our hard working team a well-deserved break.
We will be closing at 3pm on Friday 24th December 2021 and reopening again at 8am on Wednesday 5th January 2021.
The 24 Hour Surgery on Madras Street will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays and will be able to assist you with any medical care over the holiday period.
Prescriptions
Due to the close down period over Christmas we encourage you to check your medication and get any repeat prescription requests in to us as soon as possible to avoid delays in getting your medication.
Enrolments
We are not currently accepting new enrolments (other than for residents of Alpine View or Burlington Rest Homes). We will update you again via newsletter, our website and Facebook page once enrolments are open again.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Thank you and we hope that you have an wonderful Christmas and New Year from the Team at MFHC